Thank you to the beta of this chapter, Willofhounds.
Chapter Seventeen - The Big Surprise Part Two
It was clear to the four that Harry was uncomfortable with everything that was happening. So Hagrid made everyone a cup of tea as the four sat down to talk allowing Harry time to get comfortable. The four of them sat back and allowed Harry to walk around and to play with the balloons and streamers that were up.
"Are you feeling alright?" Minerva inquired seeing how rundown Severus looked.
"Perhaps you should slow down a little." Poppy chimed in.
She knew how much Severus had on his plate. Not to mention Harry Severus also had the Black trial. He was trying to find Remus and now he was focussed on someone named Ariana.
"I'm fine," Severus insisted, knowing what the two were getting at.
"The first trial is coming up within a few days. I sent out a request last week for everyone who bought wolfsbane for the past three months," Severus explained.
"And Ariana?" Minerva asked.
Severus looked down, bringing his mug up and sipping at his tea.
"Severus," Minerva scolded.
"I haven't found anything on her…not yet. I'm planning on checking the Hogwarts records, perhaps she was a student here at one point."
Both Poppy and Minerva nodded knowing they couldn't talk Severus out of finding this mystery girl. It was starting to get close to dinner when Harry started to show some interest in the presents that were on the table.
"You want to open your presents?" Severus questioned, taking Harry and sitting on the ground with him before picking up a yellow and black bag.
"This is from Poppy," Severus mentioned handing Harry the bag.
Harry let out a small moan, flipping the bag onto its side as he looked up at Severus.
"Come on Harry, you remember how to do this from Christmas," Severus commented. Flipping the bag upright before taking Harry's hands and helping him to take hold of the bag.
"Come on, pull it open."
Harry let out a soft moan, pulling the bag open and ripping it apart in the progress.
"Good job," Severus cheered, " What did you get?"
Harry held up a pair of Hufflepuff pajamas along with a stuffed Badger.
"I told you, you needed some Hufflepuff pajamas," Poppy said with a smile.
Opening the rest of the presents went by without a problem. Harry pulled out a weighted blanket with a hippogriff stitched onto it. Lots of toys such as coloring books which Harry threw to the side. A toy broomstick that could hover off the ground a few inches along with a toy wand that could light up if you shake it enough.
One present that Severus was proud of was the small potion set that he got Harry. Even to Severus, it was amazing, it came with a mini cauldron along with a string stick and rubber ingredients such as rattail, bat spleen, beetle eyes, dragon liver and much more.
"What are you trying to pull Severus?" Minerva questioned.
"I don't know what you're talking about," Severus commented.
"Ya…' It's Never Too Early To Start Your Young One With Potions.' " Poppy said, holding up the box.
"There's one more gift," Hagrid grumbled, standing up and picking up a large box that was under the table with air holes poked through the top.
Harry let out a big smile as he ripped the wrapping paper off and opened the box to show a snowy white owl.
"You have to pick a name out for 'im," Hagrid spoke once Harry opened the box up.
Harry let out a squeal of delight when he opened the box with the owl flying out and landing on his shoulder, letting out a small hoot.
"Don't you think you should have discussed this with me beforehand?" Severus questioned, pressing his lips together into a thin line.
"A young wizard needs an owl," Hagrid responded.
"No, they don't," Severus spoke.
"Perhaps we can talk about this later?" Minerva suggested singling to Harry.
Severus gave a small nod, Minerva was right, yelling in front of Harry wouldn't do him any good.
Severus got Harry playing with the potion set as Minerva and Poppy made dinner.
Harry tossed in a couple of eel eyes and a peacock feather into the small cauldron.
"Good job, now you need to add a rat tail to even out the eel eyes," Severus explained tossing in the rat tail.
"No," Harry muttered reaching into the cauldron and pulling the rat tail out and tossing it to the floor as the owl gave a small hoot.
"Did you get that toy for Harry or for you?" Minerva asked with a small smile as she set the table for dinner.
Dinner went by without a problem and since it was Harry's birthday he allowed a less healthy meal, fish and chips. After Harry was done Minerva and Hagrid brought out the birthday cake. Chocolate cake with pink icing and green lettering which spelled out 'HAPPEE BIRTHDAE HARRY'.
Once all of them finished singing happy birthday to Harry only to receive a confused look from Harry. Severus helped him to blow out the candles.
After the cake and changing Harry into the extra pair of clothes since the child got cake all over him they went outside. Against Severus words, Harry took a fly on Buckbeak.
By the end of the day, Severus was carrying a sleeping Harry back to his chambers and putting the child to bed.
